Studies & Resources

Tested and Approved Effectiveness

Heart Hugger has been on the market for a couple of decades now, and in that time it has proven itself to be an invaluable tool for patients recovering from thoracic surgeries. By reducing the chances of infection and increasing comfort for the user, patients are able to recover from surgery more quickly and with fewer complications. Ultimately, this saves both the patient and the hospital time and money.

Heart Hugger Reduces Sternal Dehiscence and Infections

An article on corehealth.com discussed the findings of studies about the benefits of using a sternal support system after cardiac surgeries. They discussed some of the factors causing the complications that are common in patients, with the major factor being noncompliance with the prescribed postoperative care including deep breathing and coughing. Patients often attribute the discomfort to this noncompliance. Introducing the Heart Hugger showed impressive results, dropping the number of patients readmitted with wound infections and decreasing the severity of the complications.

Hear it From the Patients

Studies and surveys have also collected data to analyze how patients feel about the Heart Hugger. In a study of 69 patients in 2002-2003, patients rated Heart Hugger highly for pain relief. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being disagree and 10 being completely agree, patients rated Heart Hugger a 9 for the statements:

"I am impressed that as I have followed up my patients in the office, they have continued to comment that the Heart Hugger appliance made their convalescences much easier at home, and that they have continued to use it beyond hospitalization."

Michael F Teodori, M.D.

Pediatric & Adult Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I strongly believe that the support harness has played the major role in preventing sternal wound separation."

David G. Eilertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I greatly appreciated Heart Hugger during my recovery period after my own open heart surgery. I found it made me feel a lot more comfortable."

Vernon Stafford, M.D.

"I have used the support harness in over 100 consecutive open heart surgical patients during the last two years. I clearly am in favor of using Heart Hugger on a routine basis."

Ravi Koopot, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgery,

"Heart Hugger helps my patients get well faster by giving them the confidence to cough, knowing they will not suffer from doing so."

J. Marvin Smith, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgeon,

"...Since the patient can wear the harness it has the advantage of being available when the need arises, for the instance, during therapy, or when the patient wakes up at night."

Peg Meisler

Physical Therapist,

"I recommend and prescribe it for all my open heart patients. They testify that their recoveries have been much quicker while using Heart Hugger compared to prior surgeries when the device was not available."

S. Vathayanon, M.D.

Cardiac, Vascular & Thoracic Surgery,

"Over half our patients are released by the fifth post-operative day and many by the fourth post-operative day. I believe this is due in a large part to the fact that we have a device available which allows the patient to continue aggressive coughing and deep breathing at home, with much less discomfort."

David G. Ellertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"It gave me more confidence to do things on my own. I should've bought it sooner."

Laura P.

"They were impressed when I showed them how it worked and how I did not feel the pain when doing breathing exercises."